Report: Knicks Turned Down Carmelo Trade

With just over a week to go until the NBA’s trade deadline, there’s more pressure on the Nuggets now more than ever to deal Carmelo Anthony. Unfortunately for them, they’re still asking for too much in return for the deal to go through.

Carmelo Anthony could have been a Knick Monday if only team president Donnie Walsh were willing to meet Denver’s trade demands, which one team official classified as “steep.” According to a team source close to the negotiations, “there is a deal to be made” but whether Anthony joins forces with Amar’e Stoudemire in New York between Tuesday and the Feb. 24 trade deadline likely comes down to the Nuggets either lowering their asking price or the Knicks turning over their roster to acquire one of the NBA’s top players.

The Nuggets, according to a source, are asking for three starters – including Danilo Gallinari and Raymond Felton – plus Eddy Curry’s expiring contract and at least one first-round pick. In that proposed deal, Anthony and veteran point guard Chauncey Billups would be coming to the Knicks.

You almost have to feel for the Nuggets’ front-office at this point — Carmelo Anthony wants to play for the Knicks, and they’re under little obligation to give up any of their key players to acquire his services(they could just roll dice, and wait until he’s a free agent this summer to nab him.)

Denver has nine days to come to the table with a more realistic proposal (or to find themselves a more willing trade partner.)